The process of cell growth and division is called the

• A. Mitosis
• B. Cytokinesis
• C. Cell cycle
• D. Meiosis

Answer: (C)

Cell growth and division happen in a coordinated sequence called the cell cycle. This cycle includes stages where the cell grows, duplicates its DNA, prepares for division, and then completes division to form two daughter cells. Specifically, growth and preparation occur in the G1 and G2 phases, DNA replication happens in the S phase, and division occurs during mitosis followed by cytokinesis. The term cell cycle captures the entire process from growth through to division, whereas the other terms refer to only parts of the process: mitosis is the division of the nucleus, cytokinesis is the division of the cytoplasm, and meiosis is a specialized type of division that reduces chromosome number in gamete formation. So the best answer is the cell cycle.